REVIEW: “Dogwood Days” by Poppy Dennison

ABOUT:

Small town heroes and big town hearts.

Jefferson Lee Davis is happy with his life in the city until his favorite uncle has a bad fall and he rushes to Holly Creek to make sure Uncle Sherman is okay. Jefferson Lee knows how to navigate small Southern town’s politics and the residents greet him with open arms. Everyone but the town’s sheriff, Zane Yarbrough, that is.

Dogwood Days, the town’s biggest festival is looming, so Jefferson has to step up and take over his uncle’s job as the town blogger, even if that puts him right in the sheriff’s path. Quirky neighbors, meddling family, and a sassy best friend all come together to make Jefferson Lee’s life in Holly Creek a full-time adventure. When he loses his job back in the city, Jefferson Lee has to start a new job search that will take him away from the town he’s learning to think of as home. Will this big city boy find sweet romance in the arms of a small town sheriff or will the allure of the city call him back?

REVIEW:

Sometimes you just need cute, silly, fun books. Dogwood Days definitely meets the criteria. Charming meets sassy in this lighthearted story. Small town life can be bitter and sweet. I live in a small town myself and everybody knows everybody’s business. That’s just the way it is. You either suck it up or you get outta dodge. Jefferson fled from the pressure years ago, but finds himself back in the familiar streets of his hometown when family duty calls.

Holly Creek is a little bit like Mayberry and I suppose Sheriff Zane is a little bit like Andy Griffith. Well, he’s a hotter, gayer Andy Griffith. Jefferson Lee escaped the clutches of Holly Creek many years ago. However, he is extremely close with his Uncle Sherman, even more so than his parents. When his Uncle takes a tumble and needs a helping hand around the house, Jefferson doesn’t hesitate to step up to the plate. Not much has changed within the town’s city limits since he left to chase his dream of journalism. I take that back, one big, strong, handsome change has occurred…there’s a new sheriff in town.

Zane isn’t the type of guy Jefferson Lee typically dates. Jefferson Lee isn’t the type of guy Zane typically desires. Funny that….they both discover that typical tastes can change in a flash. And this time, it’s a lightning strike.

I enjoyed the entire cast, even those meant to drive you nutty.
I loved how Jefferson Lee loved his Uncle.
I giggled and may have let a very ladylike snort or two slip with Jefferson’s smart mouth.
I smirked with Zane’s growly jealous tendencies.

It was a quick fall between the men, but they knew it, they recognized it, and it didn’t bother me. The heat factor is extremely low and they barely connect (skin on skin) until the final pages and again I was okay with this. Why? Because Dogwood Days may be over but The Rose Festival is about to begin. There’s more in store for this quirky town. Could it be Uncle Sherman and the Mayor? Or Jefferson Lee’s bestie and the town’s sexy gay gardener? Hmmmm, I’d bet you a piece of blueberry cobbler it’s one of the two.

Witty characters in a charming town with a love wins story…I say, why not check it out?